UNBOUND Gravel is the world’s marquee gravel race. Known as “Dirty Kanza” for its first 15 years of existence, UNBOUND has earned Emporia, Kansas the name Gravel City, USA.
And now UNBOUND has named Zwift as its Official Training Community and Training App. So it’s no surprise to see Zwift partnering with UNBOUND to put together the ultimate Zwift experience for UNBOUND racers and others just looking for a training challenge!
Program Details
The program consists of weekly workouts, recovery rides, and endurance rides.
See all upcoming events at zwift.com/events/series/garmin-unbound-gravel >
On-Demand Weekly Workouts
Each week will feature three fresh workouts available in your “Garmin UNBOUND Gravel Training Plan” workout folder. There are two shorter sessions for midweek training, then one longer session for the weekend. Here are the first week’s workouts:
While the long weekend session exists as a workout file, it would appear that the intention here is not to actually ride it as a workout. Instead, as the workout description says, “Ride around the amazing worlds of Zwift, join in a Zwift group ride, or head outdoors – ideally on your gravel bike and off-road.” See “Endurance Rides” below for more on the Zwift groups rides…
Recovery Rides
These 45-minute group rides are held each Wednesday at various times. The idea is for rides to do these events in between their midweek workouts. Recovery ride events are planned on a variety of routes and may include special guest hosts (like Ashton Lambie, Whitney Alison, and Kae Takeshita) or podcast episodes.
Endurance Rides
These long weekend group rides are being held at various times each Saturday, and include different route options depending on the ride length and pace you desire. If you’re still missing a few long route badges, this events may tickle your fancy!
- A Category: longer route, 2.5-4 w/kg target pace
- B Category: shorter route, 2.5 w/kg target pace
Each week the endurance rides get longer as the program progresses. Here’s the full schedule:
- Saturday, April 16
- A: Eastern Eight, 1 lap (54.1 km, 412 m)
- B: R.G.V., 2 laps (49km, 266 m)
- Saturday, April 23
- A: Leith Hill After Party, 1 lap (42 km, 438 m)
- B: Innsbruck KOM After Party, 1 lap (37.2 km, 657 m)
- Saturday, April 30
- A: Big Foot Hills, 1 lap (70 km, 713 m)
- B: The London Pretzel, 1 lap (56.2 km, 576 m)
- Saturday, May 7
- A: Muir and the Mountain, 1 lap (39.3 km, 914 m)
- B: Roule Ma Poule, 2 laps (50.1 km, 418 m)
- Saturday, May 14
- A: The PRL Half, 1 lap (69.6 km, 1013 m)
- B: The Pretzel, 1 lap (73 km, 1360 m)
- Saturday, May 21
- A: Quatch Quest, 1 lap (46.8 km, 1706 m)
- B: Big Loop, 2 laps (85.7 km, 1323 m)
- Saturday, May 28
- A: Four Horsemen, 1 lap (90.4 km, 2110 m)
- B: Wandering Flats (161 km, 929 m)
Can’t make the big IRL UNBOUND event on June 4? Zwift is hosting a final set of endurance rides as a capstone to the program:
- Saturday, June 4
- A: The PRL Full, 1 lap (173.8 km, 2627 m)
- B: The Mega Pretzel, 1 lap (111 km, 1658 m)
- C: The Uber Pretzel, 1 lap (128.8 km, 2380 m)
Kit Unlocks
The stylish UNBOUND kit and UNBOUND helmet are available as unlocks in this series.
- Wednesday Recovery Rides April 13-May 4 will unlock the helmet
- Wednesday Recovery Rides May 11-June 1 will unlock the kit
Prizes
ENVE is giving away a G23 gravel wheelset to one lucky winner. To be entered into the giveaway, complete all 16 midweek workouts in your on-demand workout folder.
Questions or Comments?
Share below!
I’d honestly join a ride just for the helmet unlock! Any ideas what model it is?
Just be aware. You get assigned the LAUF gravel bike for the gravel recovery ride. However… you’ll keep whatever wheels you were using prior to joining the ride. You’ll need (If you care) to switch to gravel wheels manually in the starting pen.
When will we see the podcast rides where you should get the kit (You get the helmet for joining the recovery ride).
I rode a group ride today ( no guest) and got the Helmet but NOT the kit. I see scheduled rides listed that say “Special Guest” but how do we find a podcast ride to get the kit??? @ericschlange
I reached out to Zwift and they just clarified with me:
Wednesday Recovery Rides April 13-May 4 will unlock the helmet
Wednesday Recovery Rides May 11-June 1 will unlock the kit
Excellent. Thank you!!!!
Hi Eric, I can only see podcast rides scheduled for midnight (BST). Do you know, is that intentional or just a scheduling blip, or am I missing some? Thanks
That’s all I’m seeing too, Pete.
Long ride today unlocked the kit.
did you have to do a ride to unlock the helmet first and another ride to unlock the kit? or just got it all after one ride? At least we know you can get the kit before May 11
I did one of the long weekend rides and now have the kit.
I will be out of town for the last 2 weeks of the workouts. What is the cutoff date to fulfill the workout requirement to be entered into the gravel wheelset drawing?
Looks like for some reason the midweek rides are no longer scheduled. I guess that means they must all be done via solo workout/folder option.
Yeah I’m confused by this as well. So the podcast rides to unlock the jersey is where? Lol 😂 need my virtual jersey
No idea!